Peer Reviewed
Feature Article Respiratory medicine
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Age-specific management of asthma in children

Peter Van Asperen, Paul Robinson
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Abstract
Changes to the National Asthma Council Australia asthma guidelines in the recently released Australian Asthma Handbook include age-specific recommendations on diagnosis, assessment and management of asthma in children.
Key Points
  • Diagnosis of asthma in children is based primarily on the presence of variable respiratory symptoms supported by spirometric evidence of reversible airflow limitation where feasible and/or response to asthma treatment.
  • The use and choice of preventer treatment should be guided by the pattern of asthma symptoms whereas ongoing management should be guided by asthma control.
  • Management recommendations differ between children aged 0 to 5 years and older children, with a lower threshold for specialist referral in younger children.
  • Most children who require an asthma preventer will achieve good control with montelukast or low-dose inhaled corticosteroids.
  • Education about asthma and inhaler use and provision of a written asthma action plan are as important as medications in ensuring good asthma control.

    Picture credit: © 2014 Audra Geras Illustration Inc.

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